Project - Elgopod

*From January to May 7th (2007), I have performed a degree project as the final of my three years in upper secondary art school. I choosed to illustrate and write about five of my imaginary animals.*--------"The elgopod is the largest mammal that roams the northern and middle parts of the continent. They dwells on the southern tundra plains of Kederim, not far from the great T’matoriian coniferous forests. It lives in herds up to 10 individuals with an dominant matriarch as the leader. It is only the matriarch and her oldest daughters who has the rights to calve, so the speed of the reproduction is very slow. This makes the solidarity of the family very tight, and protection of the calves is vital for the continuing existence of the heard. If the herd is threaten by predators, the elgopods form a circle with their heads outwards, so the calves is protected from harm in the center. From million years of evolution, the elgopod’s armour has developed to ward off predators. It covers most parts of the body, apart from the belly, brisket and throat. Unlike the horns on the head, the armour isn’t attached to the skeletal structure. It is made of hardened bristles that are attached to the thick skin. The armour starts to grow when the calf is about one year old, so before then, it is the most vulnerable.When the winter approaches with temperatures down to -60°c, the long journey south takes place to avoid the cold. In the central and southern areas of T’matorii, the climate is milder and food more available than on the tundra’s frozen lands covered in deep snow. It is during the winter months the elgopodherds exchange members with each other. This occurs very seldom, but it is necessary to avert inbreeding. It can take several weeks for a family to accept that one of their own follows another herd, and the same is for the herd that shall receive the new member."----------Polychromos colour pencils on drawing paper.